Velvet
Carter Vail Lyrics

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Kama Sutra
Does it suit ya?
Your velvet dress is slipping off
Would you stay with me?

It's coming through ya
Never knew ya
Never knew how much it'd mean
When you spoke to me

But everyone needs something
I know that I'm no different

Swore picket fences
Meet your parents
Cast your shoes off in the pool
Don't it seem?

Carolina
Treat you better
I won't steal and I won't cheat
Would you stay with me?

But everyone needs something
I know that I'm no different
And if you're not home I'll be happy for you
I'm happy for you

Overall Meaning

In "Velvet," Carter Vail is drawn to a woman wearing a velvet dress, and asks her to stay with him. The lyrics of "Kama Sutra, does it suit ya?" suggest that he's curious about her sexual preferences and if they align with his. He's entranced by her and didn't realize how much it meant to him when she spoke to him. Then the chorus kicks in, and he sings about how everyone needs something, and that he's no different. The verses suggest that he might not be the norm, with his claim that he won't steal or cheat but will still treat her better than Carolina.

As the second verse begins, he suggests that he wants to meet her parents and cast their shoes off in the pool. The line "Carolina, treat you better," appears to be a reference to a former lover, but since he is not going to cheat, he instead asks "Would you stay with me?" again. Then it's back to the chorus, where he suggests that he's happy for her even if he's not home.

Overall, "Velvet" is an enthralling song about a man's desire for a woman and his willingness to treat her better than anyone else. There is a sense of vulnerability in the lyrics as he grapples with his own desires and tries to reassure her that he's different.

Line by Line Meaning

Kama Sutra
He references the ancient book of Kama Sutra, which is associated with intimacy, love, and relationships.

Does it suit ya?
He wonders if his advances, or the themes he is exploring of love, are aligned with her own interests and desires.

Your velvet dress is slipping off
He compliments her beauty and implies that her clothing is romanticizing the encounter.

Would you stay with me?
He asks her to commit to having a relationship or at least engaging in a romantic tryst beyond this one date or time.

It's coming through ya
He senses a positive emotion or shared feeling within her after their romantic encounter or conversation.

Never knew ya
He expresses the vulnerability and surprise of getting to know someone new.

Never knew how much it'd mean
He reflects on how significant the encounter was for him and how it surpassed his prior expectations.

When you spoke to me
He highlights their conversation as a pivotal moment that propelled their connection forward.

But everyone needs something
He acknowledges that every individual has their own personal needs in a relationship, including himself.

I know that I'm no different
He recognizes that he's just like any other person with their own romantic desires and needs.

Swore picket fences
He references the classic, picturesque image of a suburban life that includes a romantic relationship, a family and a white picket fence.

Meet your parents
He expresses his desire to officially meet and start building a deeper connection with her family or the people that are important to her.

Cast your shoes off in the pool
He suggests that she let loose and be carefree with him by taking off her shoes and dipping her feet in a pool.

Don't it seem?
He asks if it doesn't seem romantic or intimate, and implies she should share his feelings.

Carolina
He mentions a location, hinting at a romantic beach during daytime or night.

Treat you better
He assures her that he will treat her with respect, kindness and love.

I won't steal and I won't cheat
He makes a promise not to betray or hurt her and to be honest with her throughout their relationship.

Would you stay with me?
He repeats the question, indicating his strong interest in building a lasting relationship with her.

And if you're not home I'll be happy for you
He accepts her as her own independent person and trusts her choices even if they're not made with him while still maintaining admiration for her.

I'm happy for you
He ends the song by expressing his felicity and is seen as not only supportive but happy that she is happy.